Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-11-17
ones which at once attract confidence.
So she said at last:

| will at once withdraw my request,
was the prompt answer
But Mrs. Blaine was pleased at the
idea. and then commenced series of
sittings which were prolonged far be-
yond the usual time taken up by most
artists for that purpose. For Cecil
Norwood had drunk in draughts of
love from the pure frank eyes of this
young sylvan beauty, and was glad of
an excuse to linger near her.
And Molly? All, all too late for her
peace, she at last learned what it was
to surrender her whole heart into the
keeping of another
But she was loyal and true to
Richard through it ALL crushing down
the knowledge deep into the heart
whose anguished throbs alone betray-
ed her distress
This is the way the knowledge of
herself came to her:
The picture was finished and Cecil
was going. At the last moment he
took her hand and held it for an
instant. gazing down into her face
with an expression which revealed to
her like a lightning flash what was in
his mind, even before the words came
which were to draw he veil away
which had disguised his feelings to-
wards her.
Molly he said with passionate
thrill in his voice, sit is like leaving
my heart behind me to 90 away from
here. Can you not tell whyP 1t is
because I love you. May / not come
back some time?"
Molly had turned as white as a snow
drop at his words; for in that instant
she knew that to accept his love would
be a foretaste of Paradise; and, 10!
the angel with the sword stood men,
acingly at the gates of the realm of
bliss so suddenly opening before her
She could not enter.
"Oh no." she exclaimed wildly, "do
not come back. must never set my
eyes upon your face again"
Cecil looked at her in surprise
Could this pale agtated girl be the
frank Joyous creature he had learned
to love so we'll! Wha' could it mean?
How had his words had power to so
transform her? But he was soon en-
lightened
Before / knew you" she continued
hastily, II promised to be the wife of
a good man. thought loved him
well enough TO make that promise"
"And you find now that you were
mistaken" interrupted Cecil with a
glad ring in his young voice. 1T is
well that you know it. 1t would be
wrong to marry man unless you
gave him your whole heart also"
"Did say did not love Richard?"
said Molly with dazed look. II did
not mean to. Oh, please 90 away. |
cannot listen to YOU For, Cecil had
drawn her to his heart in his impulsive
way.
She disengaged herself from his
arms with terrified feeling that she
had been false to Richard-to kind,
good Richard, who loved her so dearly.
Then, without another look at Cecil,
she fled from him as though from a
dangerous object. She dared not trust
her own self. 1t was that from which
she really fled
Cecil was young and impuisiNe, and
had been accustomed to have his own
way; and he did not give up his hope
of winning Molly without struggle.
But he found her firm.
"You are mistaken in thinking that
| could be false to Richard" she said
piteously. II love him dearly, and |
will try to make him happy"
And Cecil was obliged to take this
for her final answer.
"At least, Molly, you will not deny
me your friendshipP' he said in part
ing,
II shall be glad to call you friend,
said Molly. "But it will be best for
us not to see each other often. | could
not bear it. "
The girl was not aware that this was,
a confession of weakness on hsr part.
She was so intensely anxious to do her
duty 30 Richard that everything else
was forgotten for the moment.
But Cecil's face frightened.
'.She loves mer he thought witch a
thrill of joy. But he made no sign Of
his discovery, lest it might even more
eilectually separate him from her So
| ciety.
Time passed on, and Richards ship
was looked for into port.
A storm arose-one of the most fear
full that had ever been known upon the
| coast Wrecks were scattered far and
near, and those who had friends at sea
wore white frightened faces as they
listened to the Wind Kings ragings.
Molly lived several miles inland, but
her fancy depicted terrible scenes Of
ships battling with the angry elements,
and Of drowning sailors, amid which
one white face was ever prescnt-that
Of her sailor lover,
One night a laundering rap came at
the door. Quaking 10 every limb, she
drew on her garments, and crept
down to answer the summons.
1t was Cecil. He was very grave,
aud his clothes were wet through, as
though he had been in the water.
Come with me-" he said TO Molly.
"Oue YOU love is near death | fought
for his life with the waves, and after |
bad succeeded in bringing him to land,
I learned that it was Richard era
hame, whose native shores had butieted
the returning wanderer. He is con-
/ scious. and calls for you.'